Breaking News

Sinking feeling as fears grow on road collapses

Wednesday 7 May, 2008 12:01am

Readers flooded the Express Advocate with worries after last week's headline asked "Where next?'

It followed the closure of both Woy Woy Rd and the Pacific Highway at Somersby after sections washed away.

The two new main areas of concern were Debenham Rd, Somersby, and Paroo Rd, Holgate.

Algis Sutas, of Somersby, said he had been lobbying Gosford Council over the state of Debenham Rd for 12 months.

The ageing road is the back way up Kariong Hill and winds its way between West Gosford and Somersby. Mangrove Mountain and Somersby residents use it to get to Gosford.

Mr Sutas said he became more concerned last week when motorists starting using it as an alternate route when Woy Woy Rd closed.

He said a section near a hairpin at the bottom of the hill had started to sink and a tree on the side of the road was in danger of falling.

Mr Sutas said maintenance issues had been a continuing concern with the road.

"The leaves block up the drains and the water just goes over the road and it gets very slippery," he said.

"Just trying to get potholes fixed, signs and guard rails is a problem.

"I'm worried this road is going to be next."

Holgate residents expressed fears about Paroo Rd, which links The Ridgeway and Wattle Tree Rd effectively Ourimbah and Erina.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said EnergyAustralia had removed a powerpole because the side of the road was sloping so much that the pole had started to lean. "You can see it sinking," she said. "When you're driving up there you can feel the car slightly tipping."

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